Learning through participation in education and training programmes leading to the attainment of a registered qualification.

The above definition is related to the interpretation of the term used by Eurostat (2006).

The essence of formal education consists of leading a learner to the attainment in a registered, i.e. included in the Integrated Qualifications Register, qualification upon completion of the process of teaching/learning/training.

Its functionality (practical usability) constitutes its main asset not only from the point of view of the development of the integrated national system of qualifications (including PQF) but also in reference to national and international statistics.

NB:

Before the actual implementation of the integrated system of qualifications, the term “formal education” embraces formal general and vocational education system and higher education. On the other hand, the term “non-formal education” embraces all educational programmes organised outside the system of formal general and vocational education and higher education. 

After the new system based on the Polish Qualifications Framework will have been implemented, all educational programmes directly leading to the attainment of a qualification entered into the Integrated Qualifications Register will be embraced by the term “formal education”.